The Professor

The Professor is currently streaming in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on OVID and Kanopy, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Johnny Depp is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

The Professor arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The Professor from the crowd. A world-weary college professor is given a life-changing diagnosis and decides to throw all pretense and conventions to the wind and live his life as boldly and freely as possible with a biting sense of humor, a reckless streak and a touch of madness. Johnny Depp and Rosemarie DeWitt lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2019. What keeps The Professor from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, The Professor is a strong candidate. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Johnny Depp sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.